Water-power motor



Feb. 19 1924. 1,483,895

J. KRANEBEEL WATER POWER MOTOR Filed oct. so. 1920 4 sheets-sheet 1 Feb. 19,1924. 1,483,895

J. V. KRANEBEEL WATER POWER MOTOR Filed Oct. 30. 1920 4 Sheeye'ts-Sheet 2 Millar/nays Feb. y119 1924.

J. V. KRANEBEELv WATER POWER MOTOR liled oct. s. leo 4 sheets-sheet s Feb. 19 1924.

J. V. KRANEBEEL.

WATER POWER MOTOR Filed Oct. 50. 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Feb. 19, 1924.

UNITED STATES dPATENT oFFicE.

JOHN v. KRANEBEEL, or BUFFALO, New YORK.

i WATERfPOWER MOTOR.

Application led October 30, 1920. Serial No. 420,623.

ot New York, have `invented new` and use-` ful Improvements in `Water-Power Motors, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to a water power motor of the class which are designedto utilize `the power of flowing `streams or rivers. l l

It is the objectv of this invention to provide a motor of this character which embodies one or more wheels against which the flowing water is adapted to press, which can be easily installed in any available water course from which power is to be taken, which can be easily adjusted to suit the height of the water in the stream or the power desired, and which is verysimple and durable in construction,andnot liable to get out of order under the severest strain to which the saine may be subjected.

. In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a sideelevationof my improved water motor. Figure 2 isa horizontal section taken on line 2-2, Fig. l. Figure 3 is a `vertical longitudinal section of the water motor. Figures 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary sections taken :inthe correspondingly num` bered lines in Fig. 3. Figure7 `is a cross section taken on line 7 7, Fig. 1. Figure S is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on line 'z3-8Fig. 7. Figure 9 is a trag- .mentary vertical longitudinal section, similar to Fig. 3, but showing a water wheel raised higher than those .sliowirin'Figx 3. Figures l0 and ll are perspective viewsr of parts ot' the means for locking a water wheel in various vertically adjusted positions. y

Similar characters ofy reference refer to like parts throughout-the several views.`

The stationary main frame oi' this motoi may be supported in any approved manner over the stream troni which power is to `be takenand the sameA may be any suitable construction to support the various working parts, that shown in the drawings being merely illustrative ot one adapted for this purpose and consisting generally of two lower longitudinal. ybeams .'15, `two upper longiftudinalvbeains 16, aplurality of uprightposts 1T connecting thelongitudinal beams, lower and upper upright plates 18, 180 secured lengthwiseto said posts, trans- `versel'iars l) connecting said lower plates,

and transverse plattormsQO connecting said posts and lower plates..

Journaled horizontally and in bearings on the lower part of this frame is the rmain ,driving shaft 2l to which the power of the flowing water is transmitted'by y my invention and froin'wli-icli this power power to the driving shaftand the means i tor raising and lowering the `same and locking them in position are alike respecting both wheels, the following description ot one wheel and mechanism associated therewith will apply to both of them. p

23 represents the axle of onefofthe water wheels which is, arranged horizontally and i transversely `paralled with the driving shaft at adistance i from the latter; This axle is journaled at its opposite ends in bearings arranged on the outer ends of two vertically swinging rock arms 24 whiclrlatter are pivoted atv their inner ends on the drivingshaft so as to turn concentrically thereto. Mot-ion is transmitted from this axlev to the driving shaft by a `pair of belts 25 preferablyjof the chain type arrangedlengthwise on the opposing sides ol"` the rock arms` and each passing at its outer and innei' turns around sprocket wheels 26, 27 secured respectivelyto saidaxle anddriving shaft, as best shown in Figs. l and 2. 1 28 representsthe two diskshaped heads of ythewater wheel which are securedvto the axle, 9.9 a cylindrical drum or hollow hub interposed between these heads at a distance from the peripheral edgesy of the latter, 30 a pluralityof blades orwings f When this wheel has its lower part sublio merged .in the water of a flowing stream, as shown in Fig. 3, each bladey while passing on the' lower part of the wheel'l rests' in a radial position against the rear side of one pair of stops 34 so that this blade receives` the pressure of the water and transmits the same to the axle and as itrisesout ofthe water the same folds against the front side of the next following pair of stops which permitsy the blade to withdraw from. the water without retard-ing the rotation of the wheel and thus incl-easing the output of power. The blade remains in 'this folded position while passing over the top of' the wheel and thenunfolds; on the descending side of the same preparatory to again entering th'ewater. Y

With each water wheel' is associated an adjusting mechanism whereby the same may be raised or lowered in the water to suit 'the level of the stream or vary the power which is derived from the same or the wheel' may be lifted entirely out of the water for the purpose of inspection, adjust-r ment or repairs. In its preferred construek tien eachofl" thesel wheel adjusting devices is constructed as follows:

35-, 35 represent a pair of' vertically movable slides which are guided in ways 36', 3G- on the lower plates 18 of the main frame and each of which is connected withone of the rock arms of a water wheel by an adjlustin-g line' 2557 which has an upward-ly trending bight or turn passi-ng around a guide pulley or wheel 3S on the' adjacent part of the lower frame plate 18. Each of these slides may bev raised or lowered by an adjusting screw engaging its upper part with a threaded openingfinthefrespec-Y tive slide and: jo'urnaled' near its` lo-wer end in a, bear-ingy 4() on the main frame'so that this screw can turn but not move lengthwise. At its lower end the adjusting screw is provided with a driven bevel gear wheel whichl is `arranged ybetween two driving bevel' gear wheels e2; 403, which are spl-ined on a longitndinalv intermedia-te sha-ft le Vso that either one or the other of' t-hel driving gear wheels may be engagedwith saiddriven gear wheel? for' turning :the adjusting screw inl. one direction; or theother and either raising or lowering the water w'heelf and associated' parts. The intermediate shaft prelim-ably extends over 'the main driving shaft so as to. serve as an 'intermediate shaft for the other water wheel on the-samev side of the framey and"- th-is intermediate wheel el the latter remain at rest and the respective water wheel:- is held' b vits adjusting screw 39 in whatever position the same may be left. rlil-ie two driving gear wheels on the same end' of the water wheel are shifted simultaneously lengthwise of the respective interniodiatel shaft for engaging either one of these driving gear wheels with the driven gear wheel or disengaging` rthe same therefrom by means of a vertically swinging slfiifting lever 47 having two forks 48, i9 which engage respectively with annular grooves 50 5l, in the hubs ofthe drivin-ggoar wheels 42, 43. F or the purpose of ensuring simultaneous raising and lowering of' the rock` ari-ns supporting opposite ends of the water wheel, the two shifting levers 457 for each water wheel arranged on opposite sides of the water motor are connected'with a horizontal rock shaft 52 which is journal-ed transversely in suitable hearings on the main frame and provided with an upwardly projecting-lever 53 for ope-ratingtho same.` Each of these operating levers is locked either in its neu'- tral central posit-ionor in either one or the other of operative positions by a segmental rack secu-red to the varly-leent cross bar 19 of the main frame and a locking dog guided inthe operating lever and movable into and out of engagement with this rack` 'by a handle-G connected b v a rod 5T with the locking dog.

Equa-lizing means are provided for cans ing` the outer or free endsV of the rock arms which support the axle` of' the `water wheel to rise and fallinunisony andl thus avoid any straining ofthe parts or cramping and bindii-igof the axle in its bearings, said equalizing means hein-g` combinedg with locking mea-ns which support thefloadl upon these rock arn'is at the outer ends thereof. Inthe preferred en-ibodirnent these equalizi'ng and locking-means are constructed as follows: f

58, 58 represent two gear segments mounted' on the vsupporti'ng roclr arms, of each water wheel and each having its row of teeth arranged concentricallywith the axis of the driving shaft and engaging with a gear pinion 59. Arran-ged transversely in itront of' the pair'of gear segments is an equali'zingshaft G0y which is journaled in, suitable?,bearings on the main frame and' has the gear pinions '59 secured thereto so that thesame are compelledto turn together. By this means both rocking supportingarms of the water wheel are caused to rise and fall in unisonv which positivel)7 avoids any tilting of the axle and consequent binding ofthe same in its bearings.

Each of the equalizing pinionsV is enga-ged on its upper side by a` 'locking tooth Gl formed on the lower end of a vertically movable locking block '62 which slides in a way 63 on the adjacent part of" the main frame'. Preparatory to raising or lowering the lll) messes water wheelthe vlocking blocks 62 are elelvated towdisengage theirteeth from `the equalizi-ngpinionsifin order to release the gear segmentsyaird i after` such adjustment has xloeen'ieffectedv the i locking blocks are again permitted to descend by gravity into engagement"4 with the equalizing pinions for thefpurpose of .preventing the same from turning and thus" supporting the wheel supporting rock arms'at their outer ends and thus relievethe adjusting mechanism from `undue strain when the apparatus is in operation. The `raising' of each locking block is effected by` an elbowleverrfv pivoted on the adjacentpart of thei main frame and engaging its elbow with `a shoulder G5 on the adjacent locking block, a longitudinally reciprocating gear rack '66 connected by a rod 67 with the elbow lever and guided in a way 68 and a'horizontalf `locking shaft 69 journaled transversely onfthe main frame and providedy with gear ,pinionsy 70 which mesh withsaid gear racks soas to cause the same to slide in unison .and operate the locking blocks together. The two guide ways G8 are hung on'the shaft GQandithe latter is turned by an upright. operatingshaft 7.1 journaled on the mainframe and connected at its lower end by a pair of bevel gear wheels '72 with the locking shaft 69, while provided with ahand wheel YSLl i By employing two water wheels in con-` nection with each of the driving shafts on opposite sides thereof it is possible to transmit power to the same from either yone or the other or both ofthe water wheels according to-,whether reduced or full power` is desired. This power can be furtheradjusted by raising or lowering eitheror both of the water wheels relatively to the level ofthe water. And it is alsopossible to inspect, adjust and repairone water wheel while the other is in `operation sothat a complete shut down of the water motor is at no time necessary.` 1 f y i As` -a whole this motor y is` comparatively i simple consideringthe work `it performs,

the same yields a large amount of powerfor ,the amounty of mechanism employed and the same. `can also be low cost. y

u, I claim as my invention: y

,LA water power` motor comprising a wheel adapted to beimmersed in aflowing stream of water, avertically `swinging support Ion `one end `of lwhich :said wheel is pivotally mounted, aytivertically movable slide connected 4with said support, and means fon operating said slide and raising and lowering said support. f i

Q A water ypower `motori comprising a main iframe,` a water, wheel, i a vertically installed at i comparatively `movable support mounted on said frame and `carryingsaid wheel, and means for raising and loweringsaid support including a vertically movable'slide guided 'on said frame,v a line connecting said slidey with said support, andan adjusting screw mounted on said frame and engaging with said slide.

3. A water power motor comprising a wheel adapted to be immersed in a flowing stream of water, a vertically swinging support on one endof'whieh' saidfwheel is pivotally mounted, ai vertically" movable slide connected withsaid support, and means for operating said slide .and raising and loweringfsaid support by `power derived from said wheel. f, i i

4. water power motorcomprising a `main frame, a driving shaftjourmiled in said frame, a vertically' swinging support turning about said shaft, `,a water wheel journaled on said support andl operatively connected with said shaft an'dfmeansfor moving said 'support vertically comprising an intermediate shaft, an internieshing woriny and worin wheel connected respecconuectt-d with said shaft and means for moving said support vertically comprising an 'intermediate shaft, an internieshing worm and worm wheel connected respectively with said` driving shaft and intermediate shaft and means for trai'ismitting motion from said `intermediate i `shaft to i said support comprising a guide pulley, a slide guided ou said` frame, a line connectinglsaid slide and support and passing` around said pulley, a screw journaled on said frame and engag- ,ing with `said slide, a driven gear wheel turning with said screw,` and two driving gear-wheels splined `on said intermediate shaft Aandr adapted to be engaged -wit'h and disengaged from diametrically,opposite sides ofsaid driven gear wheel j i 6. A water power motor `comprising a main frame` a` driving shaft journaled in said frame, a vertically swinging'support turning` about said shaft,` a water wheel journaled on said support and operatively connected with said shaft, and vmeans `for moving said support'vertically comprising an intermediate shaft, an intermeshing worm Vand worm `wheel connected {respectively with saidwdrivingl shaft and inter-1, mediate shaft, and means for. 'transmitting motion vfrom said intermediate shaft to saidA supportcomprising a guide pulley, a slide guided on said frame, a line connecting said slide `and support and passing around said pulley, a screw journaled on said fraine'and engaging with said slide, a driven geary ivlleel turningwith said screw and two driving gear wheels spli-ned on said intermediate shaft andf'adapted tob'e engaged with and disengaged troni diametrically Vopposite sides of said driven gear wheel, .and an op.- erating' lever connected with said driving gear-Wheels for shifting the latter.

T. A water power-.wheel `cinnprising a mai-ni trame, a driving shaft journaledi in said; framewtwo supportii rf.v arms turning about'l Said shafn, af water wheel. having Yan asile which is; jonrnaled at-its oppositey ends on said arms, means for transmitting motion from said axle to said driving shaft, and means for raisingland lowering` said supporting arms comprising two vertically movable slides arranged on opposite sides of the motor and guided on the adjacent part of the liiainfi-ai'iie, liliesv connecting said slides with the supporting arms on vthe respective side rofthe motor, screws engaging with said slides and journaledl on the main frame and each provided with a driven gear wheel, two intermediate shafts journaled on the main frame and each operatively connected by a worm and worm wheel with the driving shaft, a. pair of driving gear wheels. splined on each ot said' intermediate shafts and adapted to engage and disengage with opposite sides of the adjacent driven gear wheel, two shitting arms each operatively connected with a pair ot' said .driving gear wheels, and a rock vshaft journaled onsaid main traine and carrying said shitting arms. i

8. A water power wheel comprising a main frame, ay driving shaft journaledin said frame, two supporting arms turning about said shaft, a water wheel having an axle which is journaled at its opposite ends on said arms, means for transmitting` motion fronrsaid axle to said driving shaft, and means for raising and. lowering saidsupporting arms comprising two vertically movable` slides .arranged on opposite sides of the motor and guided on the adjacent part of the main, frame, lines connectingsaid slides with the supporting arms on the respective Side of the motor, screws engaging'with said slides and journaled lon the mainframe and each provided with a drijven gear wheel, two intermediate shafts journaledv on the main frame and each operatively connected by a worm and worm. wheel with the driving shaft, a pair of driving gear. wheels splined on each of said intermediate shafts and` adapted to. engage and disengag'ewith Vopposite sides of' the adjacent driven gear wheel, two shifting arms each operatively connected with a pair of said drivinwgear Wheels, a. rock shaft journaled on 'said mainy rLamea-nd carrying said shift-ing arms, an

operating lever connected vwith said rock` slraaft,4 andi means yfor locking said lever in.

position.

9. A, water `power vino-tor comprising a pair of vertically swingingsupportingarms, a waiter wheel journaled atits opposite ends on said arms, means for causing said arms to move in unisonand means. for adjusting said swinging arms. f f i l0. A water power motor comprisingA a pair of vertically swinging supporting arms, a water wheei journaled at its opposite .ends on said arms, and means for causing said arms to.. move in unison comp-rising segmental gear racks mounted. on` said arms; and each having its row of teeth concentric with the axis of the respective arm, an eqnalizin-g shaft provided with gear pinions meshing `with said racks, Irespectively and? means for adjusting said swinging; armer y ll'. A water power motor compris-ing a pair ot vertically swinging supporting arms, a water wheel journazlecl: at its opposite ends on said arms,` and: meafnss for causing said arms to move in unisoncom prising segmentalv gear racks mounted'. on said arms and each having its 'row of teeth con-centric with the axis. of the respective arm, an equalizfing shaft provided with gear pinions meshing with said racks, respectivelymcafns for locking said pinionsiaigainst turning and means ior adjusting said swing#- ing arms;

l2. A water powerwmotor comprising a pair ot vertically swinging supporting arms, a; water wheel journaled at its oppositeends on said a1-'1ns vand means for causing said armsto move in unison comprising segmental `gear racksmountedk on said arms and eachhaving its row. .ofteeth concentrici.` with the axis of the respecti-vef'arin, an equnlizing shaft provided with ygear pinions meshing with said racks, respectivelyi.,y and means for lockingsai-d pinions: against turning comprising sliding locking blocks each provided with atooth adapted to: engage with one of said pinions.` andalso having a shoulder, two` elbow leve-rs each adapted? to:I engage its elbow with one of said shoulders, means for actuating said elbowlevers and. means for adjusting said. swinging arms..

13'. A water power motor comprising a pairy of' vertically swinging supporting a-rms=,

a water wheel journaled at its opposite ends on said arms, and means for causing said arms to movewin unison comprising seg mental gear racks: mounted onl said' arms and each: having its row of' teeth concentricl with the axis koithe respectivearm, an equalizing shaft provided'with gear pinions meshing with.y said racks',respeetively, andy means. for lockingsaid pinionsf against turn-4 ing. comprising sliding lock-ingl blocksy leach provided with a tooth. adapted to: engagewithone osaid pin-.ions and also having a shoulder, two elbow levers each adapte engage its elbow with one of said shoulders,

means-tor actuating said ielbovvlevers in*l cluding two sliding gear racks each connected with one of said elbow levers, and a locking shaft provided with pinions engaging said sliding gear racks and means for adjusting said swinging arms.

.151.. A water power motor comprising a pair of vertically swinging supporting arms7 a water wheel journaled at its opposite ends on said arms, and means for causing said arms to move in unison comprising segmental gear racks mounted on said arms and each having its row of teeth concentric with the axis of the respective arm, an equalizing shaft provided with gear p-iiiions meshing with said racks, respectively, and

means for locking said pinions against turning comprising sliding locking blocks each provided with a tooth adapted to engage With one of said pinions and also having` said sliding gear racks, and an operating shaft connected by gearing with said locking sliait and means for adliusting said swinging arms.

JOHN V. KRANEBEEL. 

